Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 44
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
सम्भवन्ति हि भद्राणि विपरीतानि चानघा: । कारिणां गुणसङ्गोऽस्ति देहवान्न ह्यकर्मकृत् ॥ ४४ ॥
sambhavanti hi bhadrāṇi viparītāni cānaghāḥ kāriṇāṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sti dehavān na hy akarma-kṛt
ヴァイクンタの住人よ、汝らは無垢である。だが物質界では、身体を持つ者は皆カルミーであり、善であれ悪であれ行為する。三グナに染まるゆえにそうせざるを得ず、身を受けた者は無為ではいられない。ゆえにこの世の衆生は皆、処罰の対象となる。
The difference between human beings and nonhuman beings is that a human is supposed to act according to the direction of the Vedas. Unfortunately, men manufacture their own ways of acting, without reference to the Vedas. Therefore all of them commit sinful actions and are punishable.
FAQs
This verse explains that for embodied beings, outcomes arise in both auspicious and opposite ways because action is inevitably tied to association with the material modes (guṇas).
Because as long as one identifies with and operates through a material body, one must act, and that action is influenced by the guṇas—so complete non-doership is not possible on the bodily platform.
Recognize that actions bring mixed results under the guṇas; therefore act responsibly, cultivate sāttvika habits, and anchor actions in devotion so results no longer bind the heart.